Online plea launched to protect girls from genital mutilation

On International Women's Day, nearly 100 people on Tuesday took a pledge not to subject their daughters to the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) prevalent in their community.

The pledge, launched on Change.org by a group of FGM survivors, seeks girls and women not to be subjected to genital mutilation. It also seeks "not to impose physical and psychological harm on a daughter so that she can be a strong, contributing member of the community, and of the world".

"Our pledge signifies the strength to break free from the fetters of convention and tradition, to take an independent stand for one's safety, security, freedom from violence and psychological trauma," a member of the 'Speak Out on FGM' initiative said.

The 'Speak Out on FGM' group had earlier started a petition seeking a ban on the practice and has claimed to have received about 50,000 signatures. The group wants it to be submitted to Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi.

In December 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution on banning the practice of FGM. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies FGM as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.